Kalamalka Lake’s first splash mob attracted an upwards of 200 people to raise awareness against invasive mussels, Sunday.
At one point, the circle of floaters almost broke up as they drifted closer to the beach, said Brynne Morrice with Protect Our Freshwater.
Overall, the event went without any difficulties.
A drone flew overheard to take pictures as the floaters formed a circle around a sign.
They cheered “Keep Kal Lake blue” and raised their paddles to show their support.
Morrice hopes this will become an annual event.
“We want to increase the number of people each year,” he said.
The goal is to get 24-hour boat patrols on the lake to survey boats for mussels.
“I want to be able to take my grandkids to the lake someday,” said Morrice.
Coldsteam’s Gord Smid made a family trip out of the splash mob. Wife Lisette, along with daughter Joelle, 14, and nephew Niels Hendriks, 14, participated on a paddle board and floaties.
“It’s good to support the effort to keep the lake clean and enjoy the day,” Smid said, and the weather was perfect.
A variety of age ranges showed up, from kids to the elderly, said Morrice.
Between six to eight motor boats gathered, and over 170 paddle boards, floaties, and even a plastic island, to form the circle.
Temperatures in Vernon ranged around 32 C.
The Protect Our Freshwater and Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake hosted the event at Kalamalka Beach with a set up from the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society.
To find out more visit protectourfreshwater.ca
—By Carli Berry, Vernon Morning Star